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Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel
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Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel

Published on: September 8, 2017

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Monoamine neurotransmitter functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers for targeting of cabazitaxel to human prostate

Sonali Priyadarshini Choudhury1, Mahima Jadav1, Bhavana Jodha2

  • 1School of Nano Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382030, India.

Discover Nano
|December 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study developed a targeted drug delivery system using serotonin conjugated to dendrimers for prostate cancer treatment. This novel approach enhances the delivery and effectiveness of cabazitaxel in cancer cells.

Area of Science:

  • Nanomedicine
  • Drug Delivery
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Prostate cancer is a leading malignancy in men, with androgen deprivation therapy facing challenges like castrate resistance and poor drug solubility.
  • Current treatments for metastatic prostate cancer struggle with non-specific drug distribution and low drug solubility, limiting efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore serotonin (ST) for site-specific delivery of cabazitaxel (CBZ) to prostate cancer cells overexpressing 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) receptors.
  • To synthesize and characterize a serotonin-polyethylene glycol-dendrimer complex (ST-PEG-DEND) for enhanced cabazitaxel delivery and solubility.

Main Methods:

  • Conjugation of serotonin (ST) to G4 PAMAM dendrimers (DEND) to create a drug delivery complex.
  • Synthesis and characterization of the serotonin-polyethylene glycol-dendrimer-cabazitaxel complex (CBZ@PEG-DEND).
  • Evaluation of cytotoxicity, growth inhibition, and cellular uptake in DU145 human prostate cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • The synthesized CBZ@PEG-DEND complex demonstrated significantly higher time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity and growth inhibition compared to pure CBZ against DU145 cells.
  • Cellular uptake studies showed enhanced internalization of the targeted fluorescent conjugate (Rho@ST-PEG-DEND) compared to the non-targeted conjugate (Rho@PEG-DEND).
  • The results highlight the crucial role of serotonin in improving cabazitaxel delivery to 5HT receptor-overexpressing prostate cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Serotonin-conjugated dendrimers offer a promising strategy for site-specific delivery of cabazitaxel in prostate cancer treatment.
  • This targeted approach overcomes limitations of traditional chemotherapy, including poor solubility and non-specific distribution.
  • The developed ST-PEG-DEND system shows potential for improved therapeutic outcomes in 5HT receptor-positive prostate cancers.
Keywords:
5HT receptorsDendrimersPolyethylene glycolProstate cancerSerotoninTargeted delivery

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